JP6861769B2 - Display control device, display control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display control device, a display control method, and a program.

Conventionally, when an image is projected on a projector, a technique for adjusting the brightness change speed according to the amount of change in ambient brightness is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-54784

However, since the ambient brightness of a moving body such as a vehicle tends to change depending on the moving condition, it may not be possible to appropriately adjust the brightness of the image displayed on the display device by the conventional technique.

One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a display control device, a display control method, and a program capable of more appropriately adjusting the brightness. To do.

The display control device, the display control method, and the program according to the present invention have the following configurations.
(1): The display control device according to one aspect of the present invention controls the brightness of the image displayed on the display unit based on the illuminance acquisition unit that acquires the ambient illuminance and the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit. A luminance control unit is provided, and the luminance control unit satisfies a predetermined condition with the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit during execution of the luminance control by the first mode in which the luminance is changed at the first luminance change rate. When the condition is satisfied, the mode shifts to the second mode in which the brightness is changed at a second brightness change speed faster than the first brightness change speed, and when a predetermined time elapses after the transition to the second mode, the first mode is used. It is a display control device that returns to one mode.

(2): In the aspect of the above (1), the light / dark state determination unit for determining the ambient light / dark state based on the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is further provided, and the brightness control unit is based on the first mode. During the execution of the brightness control, the bright / dark state determination unit determines that the surrounding light / dark state is a dark state, and the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance. When it continues for more than an hour, the mode shifts to the second mode.

(3): In the aspect of (2) above, the brightness control unit determines that the surrounding light-dark state is a bright state by the light-dark state determination unit during execution of the brightness control by the first mode. Moreover, when the state in which the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance continues for the second predetermined time or more, the mode shifts to the second mode.

(4): In the embodiment (2) or (3), the light / dark state determination unit is used when the light / dark state is in the bright state and the control mode by the brightness control unit shifts to the second mode. When the light-dark state is changed to the dark state, the light-dark state is the dark state, and the control mode by the luminance control unit is changed to the second mode, the light-dark state is changed to the bright state. is there.

(5): In the aspect of (3) above, the luminance control unit is in a dark state and the illuminance is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance during execution of the luminance control by the first mode. The second predetermined time in which a certain state continues for the first predetermined time or more, or the light and dark state is a bright state and the illuminance is equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance is different from the first predetermined time. If the above is continued, the mode shifts to the second mode.

(6): In any one of the above (2) to (5), the luminance control unit is the case where the light / dark state shifts from the first mode to the second mode in the dark state. The brightness change speed in the second mode is different from the brightness change speed when the light / dark state is in the bright state and the mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode.

(7): In any one of the above (1) to (6), the display unit is a display unit mounted on a vehicle, and further includes a vehicle information acquisition unit for acquiring information about the vehicle. The brightness control unit changes the conditions for shifting from the first mode to the second mode based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit.

(8): The display control device according to another aspect of the present invention has an illuminance acquisition unit that acquires ambient illuminance and the brightness of an image displayed on the display unit based on the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit. The brightness control unit includes a first mode for changing the brightness at a first brightness change rate, and the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance. A second brightness change speed faster than the first brightness change speed when the state continues for the first predetermined time or more, or when the state in which the illuminance is the second predetermined illuminance or less continues for the second predetermined time or more. It is a display control device having a second mode of changing the illuminance with.

(9): In the display control method according to one aspect of the present invention, the computer acquires the ambient illuminance, controls the brightness of the image displayed on the display unit based on the acquired illuminance, and further, the first brightness. When the illuminance satisfies a predetermined condition during execution of the brightness control by the first mode of changing the brightness at the change speed, the second brightness is changed at a second brightness change speed faster than the first brightness change speed. This is a display control method for returning to the first mode when a predetermined time has elapsed after shifting to the mode and shifting to the second mode.

(10): The program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to acquire the ambient illuminance, control the brightness of the image displayed on the display unit based on the acquired illuminance, and further change the first brightness. A second mode in which the brightness is changed at a second brightness change speed faster than the first brightness change speed when the illuminance satisfies a predetermined condition during execution of the brightness control by the first mode in which the brightness is changed by the speed. Is a program that returns to the first mode when a predetermined time has elapsed after shifting to the second mode.

According to the above (1) to (10), the brightness can be adjusted more appropriately.

It is the schematic of the vehicle M equipped with the display control device 100 which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the display control device 100 which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the installation position of the illuminance sensor 42 and the detection direction of an illuminance which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow of the 1st control pattern. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the mode change determination processing which concerns on the 1st control pattern. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the light-dark state and the luminance change speed mode which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the relationship between the 1st predetermined time and the 2nd predetermined time. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the mode change determination processing which concerns on the 2nd control pattern.

Hereinafter, the display control device, the display control method, and the embodiment of the program of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle M equipped with the display control device 100 according to the embodiment. The vehicle M is, for example, a vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, or a four-wheeled vehicle, and its drive source is an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine, an electric motor, or a combination thereof. The electric motor operates by using the power generated by the generator connected to the internal combustion engine or the discharge power of the secondary battery or the fuel cell. The display control device 100 controls the display unit mounted on the vehicle M. Further, the display control device 100 may acquire information from another in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle M and control the display unit based on the acquired information.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the display control device 100 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, as an example of the display control device 100 and the in-vehicle device other than the display control device 100 mounted on the vehicle M, the communication device 10, the display device (an example of the display unit) 20, the vehicle sensor 40, and the like. , The driving operator 50, the traveling driving force output device 60, the braking device 62, and the steering device 64 are shown.

The communication device 10 uses, for example, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), or the like, and is used in another vehicle, an external device, or a vehicle M existing in the vicinity of the vehicle M. Communicates with a terminal device (for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal) possessed by an occupant.

The display device 20 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device, or the like. Further, the display device 20 may be a touch panel provided with a reception unit that receives the operation contents of the occupant. One or more display devices 20 are provided at arbitrary positions in the vehicle interior. For example, the display device 20 is provided near the front of the driver's seat on the instrument panel in the vehicle M, and is installed at a position where the occupant can see through the gap of the steering wheel or through the steering wheel (hereinafter, the above). The display device 20 installed at the position is referred to as a "meter display unit"). Further, the display device 20 may be installed near the center of the instrument panel (hereinafter, the display device installed at the above position is referred to as a “center display unit”). Further, the display device 20 may be a HUD (Head-Up Display) device. The HUD device is a device for visually recognizing an image (including a still image, a moving image, etc.) by superimposing it on a landscape. As an example, a light including an image is projected onto a front windshield or a combiner of a vehicle M. It is a device that allows the viewer to see a virtual image. The spectator is, for example, a driver, but may be a occupant other than the driver. Further, the display device 20 may be an indicator such as a lamp indicating the state or status of the vehicle M.

The display device 20 displays, for example, an image including the speed of the vehicle M, the engine speed, the remaining fuel amount, the radiator water temperature, the mileage, and other information. These images are displayed, for example, on the meter display. Further, the display device 20 displays an image of the route to the destination set by the navigation device (not shown) mounted on the vehicle M, and contents such as a TV program received by the communication device 10 and a downloaded image. You may. These images are displayed, for example, on the center display unit. Further, the display device 20 controls the brightness of the image to be displayed based on the control information from the display control device 100.

Further, the display device 20 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls each part in the device. The ECU acquires the current luminance information for the image to be displayed and the information regarding the mode information (for example, the control mode) associated with the change rate of the luminance described later, and outputs the information to the acquired display control device 100. Further, the ECU displays an image based on the control information obtained from the display control device 100.

The vehicle sensor 40 is a detection unit that acquires various information regarding the environment around the vehicle M, the position of the vehicle M, the behavior, and the like. The vehicle sensor 40 includes, for example, an illuminance sensor 42, a vehicle speed sensor 44, and a position sensor 46.

The illuminance sensor 42 detects the ambient illuminance. The perimeter includes, for example, at least one of the perimeter of the display device 20, the perimeter of the user (for example, the occupant of the vehicle), or the perimeter of the vehicle M. One or more illuminance sensors 42 are provided at arbitrary positions of the vehicle M.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the installation position of the illuminance sensor 42 and the detection direction of the illuminance according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, four illuminance sensors 42A to 42D are shown as an example of the illuminance sensor 42 with respect to the schematic view of the front portion of the vehicle M. The illuminance sensor 42A is installed, for example, on the back surface of the rearview mirror in the vehicle interior or on the upper part of the front windshield. The illuminance sensor 42B is installed, for example, on an instrument panel in the vehicle interior. The illuminance sensor 42C is installed, for example, on the vehicle front side of the HUD device. The illuminance sensor 42C may be built in the HUD device. Further, the illuminance sensor 42D is installed, for example, in the vicinity of the meter display unit or the center display unit (for example, a position within a predetermined distance from the meter display unit or the center display unit). Further, the illuminance sensor 42D may be built in the meter display unit or the center display unit.

The illuminance sensor 42A detects, for example, the illuminance of one or both of the vehicle M in the forward direction A1 or the forward oblique upward direction A2 from the installation position. The illuminance sensor 42B detects, for example, the illuminance of the vehicle M in the upward direction A3 from the installation position. Further, the illuminance sensor 42C detects, for example, the illuminance of the vehicle M in the forward oblique upward direction (direction A2 on the horizontal plane side) A4 from the installation position. The illuminance sensors 42A to 42C detect the illuminance around the vehicle M (for example, in front) or in the vehicle interior by the light transmitted through the front windshield FWS. The illuminance sensor 42D detects, for example, the illuminance of the vehicle M in the rear direction A5 from the installation position. The illuminance sensor 42D detects, for example, the illuminance in the vehicle interior (in other words, in the vicinity of the occupant or in the vicinity of the display device 20).

The illuminance sensor 42 may detect, for example, whether the outdoor light of the vehicle M is on or off, or may determine the strength of the wiper. The number, installation position, and illuminance detection direction of the illuminance sensor 42 are not limited to this, and for example, an illuminance sensor for detecting the side or the rear of the vehicle M may be provided. .. The illuminance sensor 42 continuously detects the illuminance at a predetermined timing, and outputs the detected result to the display control device 100.

Returning to FIG. 2, the vehicle speed sensor 44 detects the speed of the vehicle M. The vehicle speed sensor 44 may detect the speed based on, for example, a speedometer mounted on the vehicle M, and derives the speed based on the mileage and the traveling time based on the position of the vehicle M obtained from the position sensor 46. You may.

The position sensor 46 acquires the position of the vehicle M. The position sensor 46 includes, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver. The GNSS receiver identifies the position of the vehicle M based on the signal received from the GNSS satellite. The position of the vehicle M may be specified or complemented by, for example, an INS (Inertial Navigation System) utilizing the output of another sensor included in the vehicle sensor 40.

Further, the vehicle sensor 40 may include, for example, an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the vehicle M, a yaw rate sensor that detects the angular velocity around the vertical axis, an orientation sensor that detects the direction of the vehicle M, and the like. The vehicle sensor 40 continuously detects data at a predetermined timing, and outputs the detected result to the display control device 100.

The driving controller 50 includes, for example, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a shift lever, a steering wheel, a deformed steering wheel, a joystick, and other controls. A sensor for detecting the amount of operation or the presence or absence of operation is attached to the driving operator 50, and the detection result is a part of the traveling driving force output device 60, the braking device 62, and the steering device 64 of the vehicle M. Or it is output to all. The occupant operates the driving controller 50 to drive the vehicle M.

The traveling driving force output device 60 outputs a traveling driving force (torque) for the vehicle M to travel to the drive wheels. The traveling driving force output device 60 includes, for example, a combination of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a transmission, and the like, and an ECU that controls them. The ECU controls the above configuration according to the information input from the operation operator 50. The brake device 62 includes, for example, a brake caliper, a cylinder that transmits flood pressure to the brake caliper, an electric motor that generates flood pressure in the cylinder, and a brake ECU. The brake ECU controls the electric motor according to the information input from the operation operator 50 so that the brake torque corresponding to the braking operation is output to each wheel. The steering device 64 includes, for example, a steering ECU and an electric motor. The electric motor, for example, applies a force to the rack and pinion mechanism to change the direction of the steering wheel. The steering ECU drives the electric motor according to the information input from the operation controller 50 to change the direction of the steering wheel. The information received by the operation operator 50 is output to the display control device 100.

The display control device 100 includes, for example, an illuminance acquisition unit 110, a light / dark state determination unit 120, a vehicle information acquisition unit 130, a brightness control unit 140, a display content generation unit 150, and a storage unit 160. Each component of the display control device 100, except for the storage unit 160, is realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). In addition, some or all of these components are hardware (circuits) such as LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. It may be realized by the part; including circuitry), or it may be realized by the cooperation of software and hardware. The program may be stored in advance in a storage device (a storage device including a non-transient storage medium) such as an HDD or a flash memory of the display control device 100, or a removable storage such as a DVD or a CD-ROM. It is stored in a medium, and may be installed in the HDD or flash memory of the display control device 100 by mounting the storage medium (non-transient storage medium) in the drive device.

The storage unit 160 is realized by the above-mentioned various storage devices, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like. The state information 162, the brightness adjustment table 164, the program, and various other information are stored. The light / dark state information 162 is an index value for identifying the light / dark state associated with the magnitude of the illuminance. The state includes, for example, a bright state and a dark state. The brightness adjustment table 164 is information in which the illuminance and the target brightness when displaying an image on the display device 20 are associated with each other. Is, for example, a target value of brightness predicted that the user feels that the image displayed on the display device 20 is easy to see in the ambient illuminance. The brightness adjustment table 164 uses, for example, the communication device 10. An external device or the like is acquired through the device.

The illuminance acquisition unit 110 acquires the ambient illuminance from the illuminance sensor 42. The illuminance acquisition unit 110 acquires the final illuminance value based on the illuminance obtained from the plurality of illuminance sensors 42, for example, when a plurality of illuminance sensors 42 are installed in the vehicle M. In this case, the illuminance acquisition unit 110 may use the maximum value or the average value of the illuminance acquired from each illuminance sensor 42 as the ambient illuminance, and assigns a weight according to the type of the illuminance sensor and the direction in which the illuminance is detected. The ambient illuminance may be calculated. Further, the illuminance acquisition unit 110 preferentially acquires illuminance from a predetermined illuminance sensor (for example, illuminance sensors 42A and 42B) among the plurality of illuminance sensors 42, and the illuminance sensor has an illuminance due to the influence of a failure or the like. The illuminance may be acquired from another illuminance sensor (for example, the illuminance sensor 42D) when the illuminance is not detected or an abnormal value is detected.

The light / dark state determination unit 120 determines the ambient light / dark state based on the ambient illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit 110. For example, the light / dark state determination unit 120 determines that the illuminance is in the bright state when the illuminance is equal to or higher than the threshold value, and determines that the light state is in the dark state when the illuminance is less than the threshold value. Further, the light / dark state determination unit 120 determines that the light state is a bright state when the state in which the illuminance is equal to or higher than the threshold value continues for a predetermined time or longer, and determines that the state is a dark state when the state in which the illuminance is lower than the threshold value continues for a predetermined time or longer. You may judge. Further, the light / dark state determination unit 120 may shift the light / dark state to the dark state when the light / dark state is in the bright state and the control mode by the luminance control unit 140 shifts from the current mode to another mode. Further, the light / dark state determination unit 120 may shift the light / dark state to the bright state when the light / dark state is in the dark state and the control mode shifts from the current mode to another mode. The light-dark state determined by the light-dark state determination unit 120 is stored in the storage unit 160 as light-dark state information 162.

The vehicle information acquisition unit 130 acquires information (vehicle information) related to the vehicle M from the in-vehicle device. The vehicle information includes, for example, information on the speed of the vehicle M acquired from the vehicle speed sensor 44, the position of the vehicle M obtained from the position sensor 46, and the behavior of the vehicle M acquired from the driving controller 50.

The brightness control unit 140 controls the brightness of the image to be displayed on the display device 20. For example, the luminance control unit 140 acquires information such as a target luminance and a control mode based on the brightness information and the illuminance, and outputs control information for controlling the luminance based on the acquired information to the display device 20. The control mode includes, for example, a luminance change speed mode. The brightness change speed mode includes a first mode (normal adjustment mode) in which the brightness of the image displayed on the display device 20 is changed at the first brightness change speed, and a second brightness faster than the first brightness change speed. A second mode (high-speed adjustment mode) in which the brightness of the image is changed at the changing speed is included. The second mode is executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the execution of the first mode.

The brightness control unit 140 includes, for example, an adjustment unit 142, a mode determination unit 144, and a mode transition unit 146. The adjusting unit 142 refers to the illuminance of the brightness adjusting table 164 stored in the storage unit 160 based on the ambient illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit 110, and the target associated with the matching or closest illuminance value. Get the brightness. Further, the brightness control unit 140 may derive an adjustment value for changing the current brightness to the target brightness based on the difference value between the current brightness acquired from the display device 20 and the target brightness. The adjustment unit 142 generates control information for linearly changing the brightness of the display device 20 to the target brightness at a predetermined change speed based on the target brightness or the adjustment value, and outputs the generated control information to the display device 20. .. The predetermined change speed is a speed corresponding to the brightness change mode described later. Further, the adjusting unit 142 may output the generated control information to the display device 20 together with the control information generated by the mode transition unit 146.

The mode determination unit 144 determines whether or not it is necessary to change the luminance change speed mode included in the current mode information acquired from the display device 20 based on the ambient illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit 110. The brightness change speed mode includes a first mode (normal adjustment mode) in which the brightness of the image displayed on the display device 20 is changed at the first brightness change speed, and a second brightness faster than the first brightness change speed. A second mode (high-speed adjustment mode) in which the brightness of the image is changed at the changing speed is included. Further, the mode determination unit 144 may determine whether or not to change the brightness change speed mode or change the brightness change speed based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 130.

The mode transition unit 146 generates control information for causing the display device 20 to change the luminance change speed mode when the mode determination unit 144 determines that the luminance change speed mode needs to be changed, and generates the generated control information. Output to the display device 20. Further, the mode transition unit 146 may generate control information for shifting the luminance change speed mode based on the elapsed time after the shift to a different mode and output it to the display device 20. Further, the mode transition unit 146 may generate control information for changing the luminance change speed based on the determination content by the mode determination unit 144 and output it to the display device 20. Further, the mode transition unit 146 may output the generated control information to the display device 20 together with the control information generated by the adjustment unit 142.

The display content generation unit 150 generates display content included in the image displayed on the display device 20. The display contents include, for example, information acquired from each of the communication device 10, the display device 20, the vehicle sensor 40, and the driving operator 50, and information generated based on the acquired information. In addition, the display content may include information acquired from a navigation device (not shown), an air conditioner (not shown), a DVD playback device (not shown), or other in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle. Further, the display content may include information on a display mode such as which information is displayed on which display device 20 at which position on the screen. Further, the display content generation unit 150 generates an image or control information corresponding to the generated display content, and outputs the generated image or control information to the display device 20.

[Details of display control device functions]
Next, the details of the function of the display control device 100 will be described. In the following, among the display controls executed by the display control device 100, some control patterns will be described mainly focusing on the luminance control.

[First control pattern]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the first control pattern. The process of FIG. 4 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing. Further, as a normal state (initial state) of the display control device 100, the luminance change speed mode is assumed to be the first mode. In the example of FIG. 4, the illuminance acquisition unit 110 acquires the ambient illuminance from the illuminance sensor 42 (step S100). Next, the light / dark state determination unit 120 determines the surrounding light / dark state based on the acquired illuminance (step S110). In the process of step S110, the light / dark state determination unit 120 stores the determined light / dark information in the storage unit 160.

Next, the adjusting unit 142 of the luminance control unit 140 acquires the current luminance and the luminance change speed mode of the display device 20 (step S120). Next, the adjusting unit 142 refers to the illuminance of the brightness adjusting table 164 stored in the storage unit 160 based on the acquired illuminance, and acquires the target brightness associated with the matching or closest illuminance (step). S130). Next, the mode determination unit 144 determines whether or not to change the current luminance change speed mode acquired from the display device 20 based on the light / dark state and the ambient illuminance (step S140). The details of the mode change determination process in step S140 will be described later.

When it is determined that the luminance change speed mode is changed, the mode transition unit 146 generates control information for shifting the luminance change speed mode from the first mode to the second mode, and outputs the generated control information to the display device 20. The brightness change speed mode is changed (step S150). Next, the light / dark state determination unit 120 shifts the light / dark state from the current state (one state) to the other state (step S160). Next, the mode transition unit 146 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after shifting the luminance change speed mode (step S170). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process waits until the predetermined time elapses, and when the predetermined time elapses, the mode transition unit 146 changes the brightness change speed mode from the second mode to the original first mode. The return process is executed (step S180). As a result, the processing of this flowchart ends. If it is determined in the process of step S140 that the luminance change speed mode is not changed, the process of this flowchart ends. The order of processing in steps S100, S110, and S120 shown in FIG. 4 does not have to be limited to this. Further, regarding the process of step S130, the context of steps S120 and S130 may be different from the example of FIG. 4 after step S110.

[Mode change judgment processing]
Next, the details of the process (mode change determination process) in step S140 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the mode change determination process according to the first control pattern. In the example of FIG. 5, the mode determination unit 144 determines whether or not the light / dark state determined by the light / dark state determination unit 120 is a dark state (step S141).

When the light / dark state is a dark state, the mode determination unit 144 determines whether or not the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit 110 is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance (step S142). When it is determined that the illuminance is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance, the mode determination unit 144 determines whether or not the state of being equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance continues for the first predetermined time or longer (step S143). When it is determined that the continuation is continued for the first predetermined time or more, the mode determination unit 144 determines that the luminance change speed mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode (step S144). Further, when it is determined in the process of step S142 that the illuminance is not equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance, or when it is determined in the process of step S143 that the illuminance has not continued for the first predetermined time or more, the mode determination unit 144 determines the brightness. It is determined that the change speed mode is not changed (step S145).

Further, in the process of step S141, when it is determined that the state is not the dark state, the light-dark state is the bright state. Therefore, the mode determination unit 144 determines whether or not the illuminance is equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance in the bright state (step S146). The second predetermined illuminance is an illuminance smaller (darker) than the first predetermined illuminance. When it is determined that the illuminance is equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance, the mode determination unit 144 determines whether or not the state of being equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance continues for the second predetermined time or more (step S147). When it is determined that the continuation is continued for the second predetermined time or more, the mode determination unit 144 determines that the luminance change speed mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode (step S148).

Further, when it is determined in the process of step S146 that the illuminance is not equal to or higher than the second predetermined illuminance, or when it is determined in the process of step S147 that the illuminance has not continued for the second predetermined time or more, the mode determination unit 144 determines the brightness. It is determined that the change speed mode is not changed (step S149). As a result, the processing of this flowchart ends.

Next, the relationship between the light-dark state and the brightness change speed mode of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the light-dark state and the brightness change speed mode according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 6, for example, when the vehicle system including the display device 20 and the display control device 100 is activated, the light / dark state determination unit 120 of the display control device 100 is set to the dark state as the initial state, and the brightness is increased. It is assumed that the change speed mode is set to the first mode (normal adjustment mode). Further, the display control device 100 shifts the luminance change speed mode in the display device 20 when the conditions (1) to (4) shown in FIG. 6 are satisfied.

For example, when the light / dark state information 162 stored in the storage unit 160 is in a dark state, the ambient illuminance becomes large (bright) (“dark → light transition” in FIG. 6), and the condition (1) is satisfied. The mode transition unit 146 shifts the brightness change speed mode from the first mode to the second mode. The condition (1) is, for example, that the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit 110 is equal to or less than the first predetermined illuminance, and the state of being equal to or more than the first predetermined illuminance continues for the first predetermined time or more. When the mode shifts to the second mode, the brightness adjustment is executed with a faster response than the first mode. That is, the brightness of the displayed image is adjusted to the target brightness earlier than when the first mode is executed. Further, the light / dark state determination unit 120 shifts the light / dark state from the dark state to the bright state when the brightness change speed mode shifts to the second mode. If the condition (1) is not satisfied, the brightness adjustment in the first mode is continued.

Further, when the condition (2) is satisfied in the second mode, the mode transition unit 146 shifts the luminance change speed mode from the second mode to the first mode. The condition (2) is, for example, that a predetermined time (first high-speed response duration DT1) elapses after the second mode is executed. In this case, the mode transition unit 146 performs a process of returning to the first mode after the first high-speed response duration DT1 has elapsed, regardless of the ambient illuminance.

Further, when the light / dark state information 162 is in a bright state, the ambient illuminance becomes small (dark) (“light → dark transition” in FIG. 6), and the condition (3) is satisfied, the mode transition unit 146 changes the brightness. The change speed mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode. The condition (3) is, for example, that the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit 110 is equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance, and the state of being equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance continues for the second predetermined time or more. When the mode shifts to the second mode, the brightness adjustment is executed with a faster response than the first mode. Further, the light / dark state determination unit 120 shifts the light / dark state from the light state to the dark state when the brightness change speed mode shifts to the second mode. If the condition (1) is not satisfied, the brightness adjustment in the first mode is continued.

Further, when the condition (4) is satisfied in the second mode, the mode transition unit 146 shifts the luminance change speed mode from the second mode to the first mode. The condition (4) is, for example, that a predetermined time (second high-speed response duration DT2) elapses after the second mode is executed. In this case, the mode transition unit 146 performs a process of returning to the first mode after the second high-speed response duration DT2 has elapsed, regardless of the ambient illuminance. Further, when the mode is returned to the first mode, the light / dark state information 162 determined by the light / dark state determination unit 120 and stored in the storage unit 160 becomes a dark state.

By performing the above-mentioned brightness control, it is possible to adjust the brightness of the displayed image more appropriately in response to the change in the ambient illuminance. By setting the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time at the time of mode determination, a situation in which light and dark are switched momentarily or continuously (for example, when passing under a viaduct or at night when a street light is installed at a distance). When traveling on a road, etc.), it is possible to suppress frequent switching of the brightness change speed mode.

In the above example, the second predetermined time is preferably set to be less than or equal to the first predetermined time, more preferably shorter than the first predetermined time. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time. The example of FIG. 7 shows a scene in which the vehicle M passes through the tunnel TNL during the daytime (daytime). Further, the times T0 to T11 represent the times when the traveling vehicle M reaches the point, and each time is "T0 <T1 <T2 <T3 <T4 <T5 <T6 <T7 <T8 <T9 <T10 <. It is assumed that the relationship of "T11" is established. In addition, FIG. 7 also shows a part of an image of transitions between modes and changes in brightness with the passage of time.

At time T0, the light / dark state of the vehicle M is the bright state. In the bright state, the brightness is changed based on the ambient illuminance in the first mode (normal adjustment mode). For example, since the ambient illuminance becomes darker after the time T1 when the vehicle M reaches the vicinity of the entrance of the tunnel TNL, the brightness of the display control device 100 is changed by the first mode. Further, it is assumed that the vehicle M becomes equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance at time T2 (detection of the second predetermined illuminance starts). In this case, the mode determination unit 144 changes from the brightness control by the first mode to the high speed by the second mode when the ambient illuminance is equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance from the time T2 to the time T3 after the time ΔTa. Shift to brightness control in response. In this case, control is performed to darken the brightness with a larger change than in the first mode. The method of change may be non-linear or linear as in the example of FIG. 7. Further, when the time T4 at which the second high-speed response duration DT2 elapses after the luminance adjustment by the second mode is executed, the mode determination unit 144 is returned to the first mode and the luminance control by the normal response is executed. Will be done. The transition from the bright state to the dark state is performed between the time T3 and the time T4, and the light-dark state of the vehicle M after the time T4 becomes the dark state.

Here, when the illuminance sensor 42 mounted on the vehicle M detects the illuminance in the forward direction (hereinafter, the above case is referred to as the first scene V1), the vehicle M reaches the vicinity of the exit of the tunnel TNL. It is assumed that the illuminance around the front of the vehicle M becomes brighter at the time T5, and becomes equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance (detection of the first predetermined illuminance starts). In this case, when the ambient illuminance is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance from the time T5 to the time T6 after the lapse of the time ΔTb, the mode determination unit 144 changes from the brightness control by the first mode to the high speed by the second mode. Shift to brightness control in response. In this case, control is performed to brighten the brightness with a larger change than in the first mode. Further, when the time T9 when the first high-speed response duration DT1 elapses after the luminance adjustment by the second mode is executed, the mode determination unit 144 is returned to the first mode and the luminance control by the normal response is executed. Will be done. That is, in the first scene V1, the transition from the dark state to the bright state is performed by the second mode between the time T6 and the time T9, and the bright and dark state of the vehicle M after the time T9 is the bright state. Become.

When the illuminance sensor 42 does not detect the illuminance in the forward direction as in the first scene V1, but detects the illuminance in the upward direction of the vehicle M (the above case is V2 in the second case). (Referred to as), the ambient illuminance does not exceed the first predetermined illuminance at time T5, and becomes the first predetermined illuminance or more at the time T7 when the vehicle M reaches the exit of the tunnel TNL (referred to as the first predetermined illuminance). Detection start). In this case, when the ambient illuminance is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance from the time T7 to the time T8 after the lapse of the time ΔTc, the mode determination unit 144 changes from the brightness control by the normal response by the first mode to the second mode. Shift to brightness control with high-speed response. Further, when the time T10 when the first high-speed response duration DT1 elapses after the luminance adjustment by the second mode is executed, the mode determination unit 144 is returned to the first mode and the luminance control by the normal response is executed. Will be done. That is, in the second scene V2, the transition from the dark state to the bright state is performed by the second mode between the time T8 and the time T10, and the bright and dark state of the vehicle M after the time T10 is the bright state. Become. Further, in both the first scene V1 and the second scene V2, at the time of time T11, the light / dark state of the vehicle M becomes a bright state. The time Ta described above is an example of the second predetermined time, and the times Tb and Tc are examples of the first predetermined time.

As described above, when the vehicle M is traveling on a road such as a tunnel TNL during the daytime, the illuminance around the vehicle M is significantly different near the entrance and exit of the tunnel. In this case, when the illuminance is switched from the dark state to the bright state, the degree of deterioration of the visibility of the image is larger due to the influence of glare or the like than when the bright state is changed to the dark state. Therefore, in the embodiment, the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time are different. More specifically, by setting the first predetermined time (time ΔTb and ΔTc) to be shorter than the second predetermined time (time ΔTa), the image can be visually recognized when the dark situation changes to the bright situation. Sex can be improved faster.

[Second control pattern]
Next, the luminance control in the second control pattern will be described. The second control pattern differs in that, in addition to the luminance control in the first control pattern, vehicle information is acquired to determine the mode change. Therefore, in the following, the mode change determination process will be mainly described, and the description of the process similar to the first control pattern will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the mode change determination process according to the second control pattern. The example of FIG. 8 is different in that the processes of steps S200 to S206 are added in addition to the modes S141 to S149 of the mode change determination process according to the first control pattern shown in FIG. 5 described above. Therefore, in the following, the processing of steps S200 to S206 will be mainly described.

In the process of step S143, when it is determined that the state in which the illuminance is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance continues for the first predetermined time or longer, the mode determination unit 144 acquires vehicle information (step S200). It is determined whether or not the vehicle information satisfies the change suppression condition (step S202). Here, the change suppression condition includes, for example, that the future travel route of the vehicle M is a predetermined route based on the position information of the vehicle M. A predetermined route is, for example, a route in which a curved road having a curvature of a predetermined value or more continues for a predetermined distance or more, such as a mountain road, or a tunnel or trees around a short distance when traveling along a mountain road or a forest. This is a route in which the relative position of the sun with respect to the vehicle M and the amount of change in the incident direction of the sunlight become a predetermined amount or more due to a route where the illuminance is predicted to change frequently, a curved road, or the like. Further, the change suppression condition may include receiving an instruction from the occupant of the vehicle M to suppress the change. Further, in the change suppression condition, the operation content of the driving controller 50 included in the vehicle information (the amount of change in the steering angle of the steering wheel, the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal, the amount of change in the speed of the vehicle M, etc. is a predetermined amount or more. That (that is, that the vehicle M is performing a predetermined behavior) may be included.

When it is determined that the vehicle information satisfies the change suppression condition, the mode determination unit 144 determines that the mode is not changed (step S145). Further, when it is determined that the vehicle information does not satisfy the change suppression condition, the mode determination unit 144 determines that the brightness change speed mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode (step S144).

Further, in the process of step S147, when it is determined that the state in which the illuminance is equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance continues for the second predetermined time or more, the mode determination unit 144 acquires the vehicle information (step S204), and the acquired vehicle. It is determined whether or not the information satisfies the change suppression condition (step S206). When it is determined that the vehicle information satisfies the change suppression condition, the mode determination unit 144 determines that the mode is not changed (step S149). Further, when it is determined that the vehicle information does not satisfy the change suppression condition, the mode determination unit 144 determines that the brightness change speed mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode (step S148). As a result, the processing of this flowchart ends.

In the process of FIG. 8, the mode is not changed when the vehicle information satisfies the change suppression condition, but instead, the mode determination unit 144 changes to the second mode. , The second luminance change rate in the second mode may be different from the second luminance change rate when the change suppression condition is not satisfied. In this case, the mode determination unit 144 may set the second luminance change speed when the change suppression condition is satisfied to be slower than the luminance change speed when the change suppression condition is not satisfied. Further, the mode determination unit 144 has a second brightness change speed in the second mode when the light / dark state is in the dark state and the mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode, and the light / dark state is in the bright state from the first mode. The second brightness change speed when shifting to the second mode may be different.

According to the brightness control in the second control pattern described above, by determining the mode change based on the vehicle information, the display device 20 displays the brightness change speed mode more appropriately based on the surrounding environment of the vehicle. The brightness of the resulting image can be adjusted. Further, according to the brightness control in the second control pattern, the execution of the second mode is suppressed, or the second brightness change speed at the time of execution is changed based on the surrounding environment of the vehicle M to change the surrounding environment. The brightness can be controlled more appropriately according to the change of. This makes it possible to improve the visibility of the user with respect to the displayed image.

[Modification example]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the display control device 100 is mounted on the vehicle M has been described, but in addition to this, the display control device 100 is an indoor automatic dimming of various moving objects such as a flying object and a ship. It can also be applied to (AID: Auto Interior Dimming) technology. Further, the display control device 100 may be integrally configured with the display device 20. Further, the display control device 100 may be mounted on a mobile terminal or the like. A mobile terminal is a terminal device that can be carried by a user, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable terminal having a display function. When the display control device 100 is mounted on the mobile terminal, for example, the illuminance sensor 42, the display device 20, and the display control device 100 are integrally configured in the mobile terminal. Further, when the brightness change speed mode is identified by 3 or more, the display control device 100 shifts to any of the 3 or more modes based on the surrounding surroundings, vehicle information, etc. described above to control the brightness. May be done.

According to the embodiment described above, the display control device 100 determines the brightness of the image displayed on the display device 20 based on the illuminance acquisition unit 110 that acquires the ambient illuminance and the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit 110. The luminance control unit 140 includes a luminance control unit 140 for controlling, and the luminance control unit 140 determines the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit as a predetermined condition during execution of the luminance control by the first mode in which the luminance is changed at the first luminance change speed. When the condition is satisfied, the mode shifts to the second mode in which the brightness is changed at a second brightness change speed faster than the first brightness change speed, and when a predetermined time elapses after the transition to the second mode, the first mode is set. By returning it, the brightness can be adjusted more appropriately.

Further, according to the embodiment, the mode can be switched on the condition of the ambient illuminance, and the brightness adjustment speed can be changed based on the surrounding environment. Further, since the second mode returns to the first mode after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is possible to suppress the user from being uncomfortable due to the continuation of the second mode more than necessary. Further, according to the embodiment, since the mode is switched to the second mode when the change of the illuminance is continued for a predetermined time or more, the mode can be automatically switched when necessary, the convenience can be ensured, and it is necessary. As described above, the discomfort of the user due to the mode change can be reduced.

Further, according to the embodiment, when the display control device 100 is mounted on the vehicle, it is possible to suppress the transition to the second mode or change the state at the time of the transition based on the vehicle information. More appropriate brightness control can be performed according to the surrounding environment of the vehicle. Further, according to the embodiment, the user's eye habituation due to the change from the dark state to the light state is different from the user's eye habituation due to the change from the light state to the dark state. By changing the brightness change speed in the above according to the situation, it is possible to provide the user with an image that is easier to see. According to the embodiment, the time during which the image displayed on the display device cannot be seen can be shortened. As a result, for example, when the driver of the vehicle confirms the vehicle information on the meter display unit, the invisible time is controlled to be shortened, so that the occupant can drive more comfortably.

Although the embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above using the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can be added.

10 ... Communication device, 20 ... Display device, 40 ... Vehicle sensor, 42 ... Illuminance sensor, 44 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 46 ... Position sensor, 50 ... Driving operator, 100 ... Display control device, 110 ... Illuminance acquisition unit, 120 ... Light / dark state determination unit, 130 ... vehicle information acquisition unit, 140 ... brightness control unit, 142 ... adjustment unit, 144 ... mode determination unit, 146 ... mode transition unit, 150 ... display content generation unit, M ... vehicle

Claims (9)

An illuminance acquisition unit that acquires the ambient illuminance, and
A luminance control unit that controls the luminance of an image displayed on the display unit based on the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is provided.
The brightness control unit performs the first brightness when the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition during execution of brightness control by the first mode in which the brightness is changed at the first brightness change speed. shifts to a second mode for changing the brightness at a faster than the change rate second luminance variation rate, when a predetermined time after transition to the second mode has elapsed, to return to the first mode,
Further, a light / dark state determination unit for determining the surrounding light / dark state based on the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is further provided.
During the execution of the brightness control by the first mode, the brightness control unit determines that the surrounding light / dark state is a dark state by the light / dark state determination unit, and the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is the first. 1 When the state of the predetermined illuminance or more continues for the first predetermined time or more, the mode shifts to the second mode.
Table示制control device. During the execution of the brightness control by the first mode, the brightness control unit determines that the surrounding light / dark state is a bright state by the light / dark state determination unit, and the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is When the state of the second predetermined illuminance or less continues for the second predetermined time or more, the mode shifts to the second mode.
The display control device according to claim 1. The light / dark state determination unit
When the light-dark state is a bright state and the control mode by the luminance control unit shifts to the second mode, the light-dark state is changed to the dark state.
When the light-dark state is a dark state and the control mode by the luminance control unit shifts to the second mode, the light-dark state is changed to the bright state.
The display control device according to claim 1 or 2. During the execution of the brightness control by the first mode, the brightness control unit continues the state in which the light-dark state is in the dark state and the illuminance is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance for the first predetermined time or longer. Alternatively, when the light-dark state is a bright state and the state in which the illuminance is equal to or less than the second predetermined illuminance continues for the second predetermined time or more different from the first predetermined time, the mode shifts to the second mode. To do
The display control device according to claim 2. The brightness control unit has a brightness change speed in the second mode when the light / dark state is in the dark state and the transition from the first mode to the second mode, and the brightness change speed in the light / dark state in the bright state. Different from the brightness change speed when shifting to the second mode from
The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The display unit is a display unit mounted on a vehicle.
Further equipped with a vehicle information acquisition unit for acquiring information about the vehicle,
The brightness control unit changes the conditions for shifting from the first mode to the second mode based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit.
The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An illuminance acquisition unit that acquires the ambient illuminance, and
A luminance control unit that controls the luminance of an image displayed on the display unit based on the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is provided.
When the brightness control unit continues in the first mode of changing the brightness at the first brightness change rate and the state in which the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance for the first predetermined time or longer. Alternatively, there is a second mode in which the brightness is changed at a second brightness change speed faster than the first brightness change speed when the state in which the illuminance is equal to or lower than the second predetermined illuminance continues for a second predetermined time or longer. And
Further, a light / dark state determination unit for determining the surrounding light / dark state based on the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is further provided.
During the execution of the brightness control by the first mode, the brightness control unit determines that the surrounding light / dark state is a dark state by the light / dark state determination unit, and the illuminance acquired by the illuminance acquisition unit is the first. 1 When the state of the predetermined illuminance or more continues for the first predetermined time or more, the mode shifts to the second mode.
Display control device. The computer
Get the ambient illuminance,
Controlling the brightness of an image displayed on the display unit based on the acquired illuminance,
Further, when the illuminance satisfies a predetermined condition during the execution of the luminance control by the first mode in which the luminance is changed at the first luminance change speed, the luminance is performed at the second luminance change speed faster than the first luminance change speed. Move to the second mode to change
If the predetermined time after transition to the second mode has elapsed, to return to the first mode,
Further, the surrounding light and dark state is determined based on the illuminance, and the surrounding light and dark state is determined.
When it is determined that the surrounding light-dark state is a dark state and the state in which the illuminance is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance continues for the first predetermined time or longer during the execution of the luminance control by the first mode, the said Move to the second mode,
Display control method. On the computer
Get the ambient illuminance
The brightness of the image displayed on the display is controlled based on the acquired illuminance.
Further, when the illuminance satisfies a predetermined condition during the execution of the luminance control by the first mode in which the luminance is changed at the first luminance change speed, the luminance is performed at the second luminance change speed faster than the first luminance change speed. Move to the second mode to change
When a predetermined time has elapsed after shifting to the second mode, the mode is returned to the first mode.
Further, the surrounding light and dark state is determined based on the illuminance, and the surrounding light and dark state is determined.
When it is determined that the surrounding light-dark state is a dark state and the state in which the illuminance is equal to or higher than the first predetermined illuminance continues for the first predetermined time or longer during the execution of the luminance control by the first mode, the said Move to the second mode,
program.

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